Planar Speaker Asylum

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Planar Speaker Asylum

1 Maggie louder than the other...

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I've had my 1.6's forclose to 7 years and this problem started (very slightly) a few years back back, but with minimal listening until recently it hasn't been that important. Now I have the time to listen almost every night for about 2-4hrs! compared to 1 or 2 hrs a month if at all.
My left speaker (tweets on outside) plays at 2-3db's louder on all recordings that I've tried. I've switched sources, cables, swapped mono amps around (no balance on my pre) all leading to the conclusion that it must be the speakers. I'm not 100% sure about the bass section (although it tends to read the right side lower also), but it is very noticable with the mid-high range.

I'm gonna try to call Magnepan this week.
Besides giving them a call any ideas?
Thanx in advance

Follow Ups:

Get you hearing checked... - delaney@rea-alp.com 06:51:29 03/06/07 (5)
The reverse was happening with my system a few years back...the right Maggie seeemed to play a couple db louder the the left...I switched the speakers, same deal..So I found an audiologist, scheduled an appointment, and surprise-surprise my left ear is about 3-4 db down in the mid-range and highs...Solution? I moved the left Maggie closer to my listening position by about 4-5"... Sounds just fine.
- I used an spl meter to confirm and... - Kiefer74.1 14:40:49 03/06/07 (0)
  listening from just my left ear with both speakers I can still tell anoticable difference...w/ the spl meter showing a difference of 2-4db (generally 2-3db)s.
  But yes, I do have a 'lil wax in my right ear! ;-)
- Re: Get you hearing checked... - neolith 09:29:55 03/06/07 (3)
  Alternatively, you could let the ear wax build up in your right ear.
  
  I may be an egoist but at least I don't talk about other people.
  - Hey! I suggested that first ;-) - MaggieLover 11:59:36 03/06/07 (1)
    Great minds think alike.
    - Well, sort of - MaggieLover 12:01:43 03/06/07 (0)
      He'd actually have to let the wax build up in his left ear.
  - Re: Get you hearing checked... - delaney@rea-alp.com 11:42:26 03/06/07 (0)
    or slide the right Maggie back 4-5"!!
Re: 1 Maggie louder than the other... - marin 01:11:55 03/06/07 (1)
If you have measured this, eliminating ancillary equipment and wiring and differing positioning as a cause, first unscrew your offending Maggie's interconnect plate and inspect solder joints and screw tightness underneath. You may also check fuse and holder for a tight and uncorroded fit, even try switching it with the good Maggie's fuse. If that didn't help finding the cause, it'll be down to pulling the sock to look further into the speaker...
Good luck, Marin
- Re: 1 Maggie louder than the other... - Kiefer74.1 14:36:59 03/06/07 (0)
  haven't checked the inside...I'll do that tonight
Re: 1 Maggie louder than the other... - MaggieLover 22:10:45 03/05/07 (3)
I have a similar problem with the left channel but to a lesser degree, 1-2 db. I also have monoblocks and no balance control but my EC AW70 (AW220) amps have an attenuation control on the back so I was able to fix it with a slight lowering of the output of the left channel.
Have you swapped speakers left and right? I know the tweeter orientation will be different, but if one speaker is truly louder, then it should be noticeable when you swap them. If after you swap them the left channel is still louder, than its not the speakers.
I think there are a few possibilities but there are two you might want to consider. Your left wall, like mine, may be a little more lively and you may be getting more reflectivity from that side which might give the impression of greater loudness. Or...and don't laugh... maybe you have wax buildup in your right ear that is making the left speaker sound louder. Have others noticed this difference besides you?
Have you played test tones and used an spl meter (e.g. radioshack for around $39.95) to see if a difference really exists? Have you also switched outputs from your preamp? I have heard, for example, that some Rotel preamps had slight differences in output between the left and right channel.
- Re: 1 Maggie louder than the other... - Kiefer74.1 14:35:28 03/06/07 (2)
  "Have you swapped speakers left and right?"
  yes
  "Have you played test tones and used an spl meter (e.g. radioshack for around $39.95) to see if a difference really exists?"
  no test tones, but many cd's using an spl meter
  "Or...and don't laugh... maybe you have wax buildup in your right ear that is making the left speaker sound louder. "
  ha ha...actually I do have a 'lil bit, but I've listen with my right and left ear at both speakers and the left is definitely louder, with the spl meter to prove I'm hearing correctly
  - Re: 1 Maggie louder than the other... - MaggieLover 21:07:45 03/06/07 (1)
    I you really want to know how much louder one speaker is, you really ought to use test tones. Be careful not to turn the volume up to loudly.
    - Re: 1 Maggie louder than the other... - Kiefer74.1 21:11:35 03/08/07 (0)
      After checking all cables,equipment, tubes ect...I made a few other changes...removing my biwire binding posts to run a single cable (sound is much better than I thought, damn binding posts) & changed the placement of the equipment,speakers and listoning position...which combined made a great difference.
      I did use test tones...forgot I had a test cd from HSU which has some good stuff on it. The binding posts and room placement made the biggest change. Though I'm not sure which made the bigger change as I did them at the same time.
      With a test disk now there's only a 1-2db difference...mostly 1db or less.
      Jon
      aka (kiefer74)

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